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Tom at the double!

Tom Carroll followed up his recent hat-trick with another two goals as our Under-18s beat Bristol City 4-0 in the Premier Academy League on Saturday.

Tom Carroll followed up his recent hat-trick with another two goals as our Under-18s beat Bristol City 4-0 in the Premier Academy League on Saturday.

The midfielder bagged three against Cardiff City on February 6 and scored twice in five minutes as the lads took control midway through the first half at Spurs Lodge.

It might have been even better for the Second Year Trainee as well - he had a chance to grab another hat-trick but was denied from the penalty spot in the 70th minute. The referee ordered a re-take, Anton Blackwood took over and converted for 4-0.

Kudus Oyenuga scored the third goal five minutes into the second half.

"It was a very good result," said coach Alex Inglethorpe. "Bristol made it tough for us physically but the players stood up to that test.

"It was particularly a test for the midfield three - Tom Carroll, Harry Kane and Jake Nicholson - and they knew they had to overcome the physical battle before exerting their technical skills.

"We had chances early in the game that we didn't take but we didn't get frustrated, we did the right things and opened the scoring after 25 minutes when the goalkeeper parried Paul Jose Mpoku's shot and Tom was there to finish the rebound.

"The second goal was a good move involving Paul, Harry and Jake and ended with Tom firing home off the underside of the crossbar.

"It was 2-0 at half-time and five minutes into the second half, Kudus gambled on Calum Butcher's long ball, the defender made a mistake and he managed to finish from a tight angle.

"The fourth goal was a penalty after Harry was brought down. Tom Carroll took it, the keeper saved but the referee said he'd moved early and ordered a re-take. Anton Blackwood took over and tucked it away."

Alex reserved a special mention for goalkeeper Jordan Archer after the First Year Trainee made only his secod start of the campaign. "He made a couple of excellent saves in the second half," he added.